Apparatus for concentrating solar radiation with inflatable concentrator cushion

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising an inflatable concentrator cushion, which comprises a cover film element comprising a light-permeable entry window for coupling in solar radiation and a reflector film, which sub-divides the concentrator cushion into at least two hollow spaces, for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising a pivoting apparatus, by means of which the concentrator cushion can be pivoted, in particular about its longitudinal axis, and comprising a retaining apparatus secured to the pivoting apparatus, for retaining the concentrator cushion, which retaining apparatus comprises an upper longitudinal member extending in the longitudinal direction of the concentrator cushion, for suspending the absorber, wherein the upper longitudinal member is arranged on a substantially air-tight closed upper passage opening of the concentrator cushion.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising an inflatable concentrator cushion, which comprises a cover film element comprising a light-permeable entry window for coupling in solar radiation and a reflector film, which sub-divides the concentrator cushion into at least two hollow spaces, for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising a pivoting apparatus, by which the concentrator cushion can be pivoted, in particular about its longitudinal axis, and comprising a retaining apparatus secured to the pivoting apparatus, for retaining the concentrator cushion, which retaining apparatus comprises an upper longitudinal member extending in the longitudinal direction of the concentrator cushion, for suspending the absorber, wherein the upper longitudinal member is arranged on a substantially air-tight closed upper passage opening of the concentrator cushion, wherein the upper longitudinal member comprises at least two longitudinal bars, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the concentrator cushion and which are in each case connected to a longitudinal edge of the cover film element, which longitudinal edge delimits the upper passage opening, wherein a sealing film strip is provided between the longitudinal bars, which sealing film strip bridges the upper passage opening of the concentrator cushion. 
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing film strip consists of a transparent plastic material, in particular of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE). 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper longitudinal member comprises at least two further longitudinal bars, which extend parallel to the longitudinal bars in the longitudinal direction of the concentrator cushion. 
     
     
       4. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal bars and/or the further longitudinal bars of the upper longitudinal member are connected to one another via filling bars. 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a profile element each is provided on the longitudinal bars of the upper longitudinal member, which profile element, on the one side, is connected to a connecting element for the substantially air-tight connection to one of the longitudinal edges of the cover film element and, on the other side, to a further connecting element for the substantially air-tight connection to one of the longitudinal edges of the sealing film strip. 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 5 , wherein a keder rail, in which a keder element is arranged on one of the longitudinal edges of the cover film element, is provided as connecting element and/or that a further keder rail, in which a further keder element is arranged on one of the longitudinal edges of the sealing film strip, is provided as further connecting element. 
     
     
       7. The device according to  claim 5 , wherein a clamping part is provided as connecting element for clamping one of the longitudinal edges of the cover film element and/or a further clamping part as further connecting element for clamping one of the longitudinal edges of the sealing film strip. 
     
     
       8. The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the clamping part can be pivoted between a position, which releases the longitudinal edge of the cover film element, and a position, which clamps the longitudinal edge of the cover film element, and/or that the further clamping part can be pivoted between a position, which releases the longitudinal edge of the sealing film strip, and a position, which clamps the longitudinal edge of the sealing film strip. 
     
     
       9. The device according to  claim 5 , wherein a zipper element as connecting element for the connection to a corresponding zipper element is provided on one of the longitudinal edges of the cover film element and/or that a further zipper element is provided as further connecting element for the connection to a corresponding further zipper element of the sealing film strip. 
     
     
       10. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pivoting apparatus comprises at least one pivoting element, in particular a pivoting ring, which surrounds the concentrator cushion in its circumferential direction and to which the upper longitudinal member of the retaining apparatus for the absorber is suspended. 
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein retaining elements for the in particular positive connection to corresponding retaining elements for the connection of the pivoting apparatus are provided on the longitudinal bars of the upper longitudinal member, wherein, for forming the retaining elements, the profile element comprises retaining openings. 
     
     
       12. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a lower longitudinal member is arranged on a substantially air-tight closed lower passage opening of the concentrator cushion, wherein the lower passage opening is provided on a bottom film element of the concentrator cushion, the bottom film element adjoining the lower hollow space. 
     
     
       13. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper longitudinal member and/or the lower longitudinal member extends at least across more than half of the length of the concentrator cushion, wherein the upper longitudinal member and/or the lower longitudinal member extends between a front end piece and a rear end piece on the front sides of the concentrator cushion. 
     
     
       14. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein provision is made between the upper longitudinal member of the retaining apparatus and the pivoting apparatus for an adjusting device, by which the distance between the upper longitudinal member and the pivoting apparatus can be adjusted. 
     
     
       15. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein, for anchoring the pivoting apparatus to a bottom structure, provision is made for an anchoring apparatus, which comprises a suspension apparatus for suspending the pivoting apparatus wherein provision is made between the suspension apparatus and the pivoting apparatus for a pivot bearing apparatus, in particular a roller bearing. 
     
     
       16. The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the further longitudinal bars of the upper longitudinal member are arranged inside the upper hollow space of the concentrator cushion. 
     
     
       17. The device according to  claim 4 , wherein further filling bars are provided between the longitudinal bars and the further longitudinal bars. 
     
     
       18. The device according to  claim 10 , wherein provision is made for a plurality of pivoting elements, including pivoting rings, which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the concentrator cushion and on which the upper longitudinal member of the retaining apparatus for the absorber is suspended. 
     
     
       19. The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the retaining openings extend in the longitudinal direction of the concentrator cushion and wherein the corresponding retaining elements are received for the connection of the pivoting apparatus.